MIDDLEWOOD: A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
In 1935 the Asylum
becomes 'Middlewood Hospital' Picture
supplied by John Gabbitas
A brand new building was added for admissions with accommodation for
138 patients in male and female wings, including a separate convalescent villa
at each end. The new block provided facilities for a Dental room, Lecture Room,
Library, X-ray room, Photography Room, Electrical and other forms of treatment.
These new facilities were also available for the general public and provided
medical and surgical cases.
The declared purposes of the hospital was to received, study and treat all newly admitted patients, whether voluntary, temporary or certified, with a view to separating those whose prospect of cure appeared hopeful from those whose prospects were not so favourable, and effecting a cure without having to enter the Institution proper.
The new X-ray room.
Picture supplied by John Gabbitas
Under the Mental Treatment Act of 1930, patients could enter the mental hospital voluntarily and without the odium of legal certification. The Act also introduced an entirely new category of admission which enabled a mentally confused person to enter the hospital as a temporary patient on medical recommendation, and receive treatment for as long as twelve months if necessary.
This is the hospital
Visitor's Association badge.
The group was founded in December 1953 because there was a high proportion of
the psycho geriatric patients who were not visited. The Association received
strong support from relatives and friends of the hospital and in a very short
time the voluntary service was extended to the whole hospital. — The programme
of activities included friendly visits to unvisited and lonely patients, the
provision of transport for frail relatives wishing to visit the hospital, the
organisation of ward social and cinema shows, and the supply of gifts, extra
comforts and other amenities to meet the special needs of patients or staff.
King George V on the grounds
of the Wharncliffe War Hospital visiting wounded soldiers of the First World
War, in September 1915.
Stamp of King George V in 1915.
King George V visiting Wharncliffe
Hospital in September 1915.
Large vacant building in
early 1990's
Funeral taking place at Wadsley
Church in April 1923. The people in white are hospital staff, this large gathering
indicates that the deceased person may have been a prominent figure at the time.
The graveyard at Wadsley Church was also the place where over 800 patients from
the Asylum were buried. Currently there is nothing on the site which marks their
identity. Photo supplied by Dorothy Staniford.
Hospital staff. Photo
supplied by Dorothy Staniford
The church of the hospital,
January 2010.
Main door to church, January
2010.
Patient. ©Copyright
BBC Television 1974
Patient receiving medication.
©Copyright BBC Television 1974
Hospital lounge. ©Copyright
BBC Television 1974
Administration of medication.
©Copyright BBC Television 1974
Nurse and Consultant. ©Copyright
BBC Television 1974
Gloomy places. ©Copyright
BBC Television 1974
Patient put to sleep prior
to Electric Convulsive Therapy, also known as ECT. ©Copyright
BBC Television 1974
Medical students listening
to Consultant. ©Copyright BBC Television
1974
Clock tower. ©Copyright
BBC Television 1974
Industrial Unit for
the rehabilitation of long-stay patients. ©Copyright
BBC Television 1974
In 1961 a
large industrial workshop was established. The former practice of regarding
the ambulatory psychiatric patient as totally unemployable in industry proved
to be untenable. A variety of jobs became available from several firms in Sheffield
and was carried out in the industrial unit on a sub-contract basis. The unit
was organised on the principal of approaching normal industrial conditions as
closely as possible, so that patients could eventually become capable of earning
a living outside the hospital again.
Patient walking in front
of the Kingswood building. ©Copyright
BBC Television 1974
Windows and sanitary pipes.
©Copyright BBC Television 1974
Car wash.
©Copyright BBC Television 1974
In 1965,
a Car washing Unit was established in the old farm premises manned by male patients
who provided an excellent service cleaning and polishing cars belonging to hospital
staff and visitors in return for a moderate fee.
Due to the overwhelming interest about the hospital, I have now added further
webpages.
Please go back to the main page of the hospital and look for Middlewood: II
III IV V VI VII VIII etc
etc.
MIDDLEWOOD: A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z